EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A Pair of 19th Century Connecticut-Made Objects Discovered Today at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Massachusetts

Sunday, November 15, 2015

A Pair of 19th Century Connecticut-Made Objects Discovered Today at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Massachusetts

Today brought another Sunday morning flea market to Todd's Farm in Rowley, Massachusetts - surprisingly, despite the 35 degree weather, there were a decent amount of dealers, who showed up with a haul of inventory to sell. I purchased two objects - both, of which, were made in Connecticut before 1850. They were also purchased from the same dealer. I felt content to purchase both of these objects in respect that they have likely spent a number of years together in the same location.

Todd's Farm Flea Market - Sunday November 15, 2015

This first object was made at the Smith & Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut. The company's name is prominently stamped on the front of the stoneware jar. Unfortunately, there is a crack; however, I couldn't resist purchasing it since it was only twenty-dollars. It's definitely a nice study example - it also fills an empty space in my collection from a New England stoneware maker that I wouldn't have probably regularly sought after today.

According to the book, 'Norwalk Potteries,' this particular stamp was applied during the 1843-1849 period. The ovoid crock is decorated with cobalt decorations on both the front and the back - there is also a pair of applied carrying handles.

19th Century Stoneware Crock Made at the Smith & Day Pottery in Norwalk, CT

The Stamp was Applied During the 1843-1849 Period

Stands 11 3/4" Tall

View of the Decoration on the Back

View of the Interior

I also purchased this slip decorated red earthenware jar - I assume that both the stoneware crock and this red earthenware jar were discovered together by the dealer, who brought them to the flea market today. I quickly grabbed both of them as the dealer was unloading a box truck that was full of his inventory. I asked him, whether he knew where these objects were found, but he said he couldn't remember. He said he likely found them together.

The slip that was dabbed on the front of this jar is basically an unmistakable characteristic from the Nathaniel Seymour (1763-1849) Pottery during the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries in Hartford, Connecticut. I own a similar jar that is a little larger in size, which exhibits a similar dabbed slip decoration.

Interestingly, this jar actually exhibits a similar glaze and slip combination that was applied on a select group of products that were made in Maine before 1840. The particular maker of that product line is under debate (and, research) today whether they were made at the Benjamin Dodge Pottery in Portland, Maine or the Thomas Truxton Kendrick Pottery in Hollis, Maine.